Format Research Double Page Spread 1 - Billboard Magazine

For my first format research on double page spreads I will be analysing a double page spread from Billboard magazine.

Layout: The layout of this double page spread looks very effective by the use of colours displayed across the page and the choice of image and where it is placed. The eye flow of this double page spread doesn't follow the norms of normal double page spreads as the main image is usually displayed on the right hand side with the article on the left, however on this double page spread the image is displayed on the left but slightly off centre which coveys the norms and makes the page look very professional and stylish. The image of Rita Ora is displayed behind the heading with her face poking through the gaps in the letters. The main heading itself is presented across the entire double page spread which also coveys the norms of double page spreads as they are normally over one page on the left, opposite the image but this magazine has shown differently as they want to create their brand of Billboard. The articles also are very different compared to normal double page spreads. There are 4 article boxes presented at the bottom of the page when normally they are down the side on a separate page. I think this looks very simple yet effective as it portrays the message and the brand that this magazine is trying to present to its target audience.

Image: The image on this double page spread fills the whole double page which coveys the norms of double page spreads. The background of the page is the picture and Rita Ora acts as the main image but is part of the entire image that acts as the background. Furthermore, the producer has made the background of the image black and white and kept the image of Rita Ora in colour. This makes the eye flow direct towards Rita Ora as she is standing out which implies she is important. This makes sense because the article is about Rita Ora so you would gather that she would be the main focus of attention. I like how she is positioned in the page too; she is sitting down with her legs positioned through the text boxes. Whats more, the facial expression that Rita Ora is portraying makes her look very seductive as she has her mouth open and the mode of address is looking at the camera engaging the reader. Also, this idea of looking seductive is shown by her legs, as she is showing them off and is sitting in a seductive way. in this case, the target audience can primarily be for men as they like looking at Rita Ora and what to find out more about her but can also be for women as they may feel inspired and want to look like this.

Font/Colour/Articles: The font used is a san serif font which is very effective as it portrays informality to the reader which could then consequently gain the readers trust as they have a more personal and special feel when purchasing and reading the magazine. The double page spread has a distinctive house style of primarily red, grey and black. The article text is red and grey. The main parts of the article such as the heading before each article is in red which makes it stand out as red is a very dominating colour especially against the other grey text and black and white background. The red is also used for the questions that are asked to Rita Ora in order to make it clearly laid out for the reader to understand what parts are the questions and what parts are her answers for that question. Furthermore, the font of the heading the says 'RITA ORA' in red with a very effective san serif font which makes the article look really interesting and presented professionally. In addition, in the articles isn't in a typical article form where there are colulmns of texts down the page wtth sub images inserted in the mix of them. There also isn't any sign of a drop cap which is what most magazines have at the begining of an article to attract attention and make the page look more appealing to the eye.